FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (September 7, 2017)
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]
Article written by Austin Anderson, Broadcast & Media Relations Asst.

GARY, Ind. — Gary outhit the Wichita eight to seven in game two of the American Association Semifinals, however, fell to the Wingnuts, 5-2, on another chilly night at U.S. Steel Yard. The RailCats must win all three games in Wichita to advance to the American Association championship series after falling to the Wichita Wingnuts for the second consecutive night.

Wichita (2-0) jumped out to a 4-0 lead after bringing eight to the plate in the top of the third. Brennen Salgado led off the inning with a double to left before Jacob Morris drew a walk. Leo Vargas followed with a bunt up the third base line, however, Jeff McKenzie tried to get Salgado at third after fielding it but threw it away into left field, allowing Salgado to score. With Morris on third and Vargas on second, Christian Stringer increased the Wingnuts lead to three with a two-run single to center, however, Reggie Wilson’s throw home allowed Stringer to take second. Martin Medina gave the Wingnuts runners on the corners with a single before Brent Clevlen brought home the final run of the frame with an RBI fielder’s choice.

Gary (0-2) cut the Wichita lead to 4-1 with a run in the bottom of the third. All-Star shortstop Ryan Fitzgerald pulled a single into right to begin the frame before Cole Fabio worked a walk, giving the RailCats runners on first and second. Alex Crosby followed Fabio with an RBI single to center, scoring Fitzgerald from second.

The deficit was trimmed to two in the bottom of the fifth when Crosby hit a lined shot beyond the right field fence to pull the RailCats within two. The home run was the first postseason long ball for Gar and was also Crosby’s first home run at the Steel Yard this year.

The Wingnuts answered quickly in the top of the sixth with back-to-back two out hits. Matt Chavez hit a double off the wall in left-center and scored on a sharp single to left from Richard Prigatano to give Wichita a three-run cushion once again at 5-2.

Jeff McKenzie (0-1) gave up five runs, four earned, on seven hits, walked two, and struck out two in Thursday’s defeat. McKenzie logged 6.2 innings in his American Association postseason debut and retired the Wingnuts in order on four separate occasions.

Alex Boshers (1-0) earned the victory by pitching the required five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out seven. Ryan Kussmaul (2) picked up his second save in as many nights by retiring the RailCats in order in the bottom of the ninth.

Gary and Wichita are idle on Friday before resuming their best of five American Association Semifinals series on Saturday in Kansas. First pitch in game three of the American Association Semifinals is at 7:05 p.m. from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The RailCats have yet to announce their Game three starter while the Wingnuts counter with right-hander Eddie Medina (9-3, 3.09).

Jared Shlensky and Austin Anderson bring you all 100 RailCats games this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Fans can purchase tickets for RailCats home games by calling (219) 882-BALL or online at railcatsbaseball.com. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.